Collet chuck basics

[Golem Pens]

I'm making the jump from a wood lathe to a metal lathe - got a South Bend 9C coming this weekend - and I'm planning ahead to the tooling I need to buy. Making 3 piece fountain pens.

I'm used to using a Beall-style ER32 collect chuck on my wood lathe. Looks like I can get an adapter and chuck for using the same collets with the SB9. Is that normal procedure, or do folks usually just run 3 and 4 jaw chucks? Is there another workholding method I should look at instead?

(Also speccing out a quick change tool post and corresponding indexable carbide cutters for first purchases).

Thanks!

 

[rixstix]

I use my full set (32ndths) of ER32 collets almost exclusively & HSS tooling 75% of the time.

 

[Golem Pens]

Thanks Rick, I'll likely be putting that on the list then.

Planning for carbide instead of HSS mostly because I'm not set up for grinding yet.

 

[Dieseldoc]

I run ER332 on MT#3 collet , two chucks one 3 and 4 jaw set-centering and 6 inch independently adjustable and reversible. use 3/8 and 1/2 indexable holder with carbide inserts.

 

[darrin1200]

You can just get another Beal chuck, with the 1.5x8 thread. Lee Valley, I think is the only one that carries one. The one from PSI, only comes in 1x8.

The other option is to pickup one of these;

ER32 Collet Chuck, CNC Lathe ER32 Collet 80/100mm Diameter ER32 Collet Chuck Tool for Lathe Machine(ER32-100mm) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

ER32 Collet Chuck, CNC Lathe ER32 Collet 80/100mm Diameter ER32 Collet Chuck Tool for Lathe Machine(ER32-100mm) : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

And one of these;

https://www.amazon.ca/Accusize-Finished-Threaded-Plate-2600-5453/dp/B01DARM5YI/ref=asc_df_B01DARM5YI?mcid=ec0a21800b983ba7a9e9b04fdee0343e&tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706827341408&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14086572207964646429&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002194&hvtargid=pla-492808305058&hvocijid=14086572207964646429-B01DARM5YI-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

Mount the back plate to your lathe, then machine it to fit the chuck plate. This gives you the best accuracy.

 

[Golem Pens]

Oh I missed that Beall does a 1.5x8, that's great (looks like I'm using the PSI one now).

I was looking at this as well (and I'll be getting a tool post from them as wel so I don't have to modify the carriage) https://bmpartstech.com/product/south-bend-9-light-10-er32-chuck-collets-with-1-1-2-8-adapter/

 

[Golem Pens]

Although DIYing it for precision DOES sound good. Just not sure I have the skills/tools to do that properly yet.

 

[rherrell]

Since you say you don't have the skills (yet!!!!!) to machine your own back plate then I would get the Beall with the 1.5"x8 threads, here's the link

Beall Collet Chuck Sets - Lee Valley Tools

www.leevalley.com

 

[Golem Pens]

I'll run with the Beall for now (easy to get in Canada too), thanks all!

 

[darrin1200]

Don't sell yourself short with fitting the chuck. It is actually fairly easy. I was nervous when I was doing mine.

 

[moke]

I had a bunch of 1x8 things...I bought a Laguana 18/36 with a 1.25x8 head then about 6 months later I bought a grizzly 10x22 metal lathe...it is a Chinese version, certainly not a south bend. but for turning "plastic" on pens it is just fine. It has a mt 4 head with 1.75x8. I had Rick Herrell ( a member here ) make me an adapter for the respective head to 8x1 an use all my original things....I had several chucks, Penn State drilling chuck, a Penn State 1x8 collet chuck, and many mandrels with the screw-in 1x8 ends. He did it fro super reasonable and in a week then apologized he wasn't quicker! They are just perfect and I am using all my old attachments....The only thing I would do over is had Rick drill through the center for my vacuum chuck line...which I can do, but a PITA.
I have purchased various MT 4 and 1/1.75x8 things since....I actually bought a collect chuck holder for it, but still find myself going back to the 1x8 chuck. You can certainly buy a full set of collets for cheap enough off ebay....
All in all have three lathes.....Metal, Laguana, and Rikon midi with compatible adapters for interchangeability is super helpful....I even have 5/8 adapter to 1" for the tool rest rest on the Laguana....Life is good now!
Contact Rick...he is great!

 

[Golem Pens]

Rick has helped me with many mandrels, die holders, and other parts!

Just hauled this 80 year old machine into the garage. The cabinet it was on needs fixing before I can mount it up though.